National puts ideology before national interest

Monday, 30 May 2005, 3:52 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

30 May 2005

CTU accuses National Party of putting ideology before national interest

In a speech to the Wellington Rotary Club today CTU president Ross Wilson accused the National Party of putting ideology ahead of national interest with its industrial relations and economic policies.

“Despite the developing consensus and joint strategies between unions and business on economic development the National Party appears determined to return to the divisive policies of the 1990s” Ross Wilson told the largely business audience.

“Reinstating an Employment Contracts Act will again encourage employers to focus on reducing wage costs instead of building value and skills” he said “This will inevitably accelerate the departure of more skilled workers to Australia and other countries.”

“The CTU is convinced we need to continue the current Government strategies to build a high skill, high value, high productivity economy”. Ross Wilson said

“We can’t beat China on labour costs, but we might just win on Kiwi skill and innovation.”

ENDS

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New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

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